The Mustang GT350R prototype originally raced by Shelby legend Ken Miles sold for a record $3.85 million at the Mecum Indy auction. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

Today’s Headlines: 

+   Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer has warned the state’s automakers that their plants could be shut down if they fail to follow COVID-19 worker safety directives. More at the Detroit Free Press. 

+   General Motors pledged to bring 12 new electric vehicles to market soon as a key step in its ambitious plan to introduce 23 new electric cars and trucks by 2023. More at Car and Driver. 

+   Daimler will stop building Mercedes-Benz sedans in the USA and Mexico and focus on SUVs in an effort to reduce operating costs after recording a second-quarter loss. More at Reuters. 

+   Driver Kyle Busch was disqualified and stripped of his win at the Xfinity series race in Texas when the post-race inspection determined that the car’s left rear was too low. More at Fox News.

+   Former Volkswagen executive Oliver Schmidt, sentenced to seven years in U.S. prison for his role in the Dieselgate scandal, will serve the final two years in Germany. More at The Detroit News. 

+   Honda will discontinue two of its smallest passenger cars in the USA, the Fit and the Civic Coupe, along with the manual transmission version of the Accord sedan. More at The Drive.

+   The Lyft ride-hailing service will provide clear plastic front seat shields to drivers to provide COVID-19 protection, 60,000 for free and the rest for a $50 charge. More at CNET Roadshow. 

+   According to Henrik FIsker, the upcoming Fisker Ocean electric SUV will be based on the Volkswagen MEB electric vehicle platform, though VW has yet to confirm it. More at InsideEVS. 

+   The ex-Ken Miles 1965 Mustang Shelby GT350R prototype brought $3.85 million at the annual Mecum Indy sale, becoming the most expensive Mustang ever sold at auction. More at Autoblog

+   The NHRA has postponed two national drag racing events at Brainerd, Minnesota and Denver, Colorado in August, adding a substitute date in Indianapolis. More at IndyStar. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from July 17 here.

Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions. 

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